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Both these sisters were godly women and both earnest favourites of Jesus Christ; and yet in the manner of their devotions, there is such difference, that the worldly affections in the one, may in some sort be misliked in respect of the godly exercise and practice of the other, Martha is sore incumbered with much serving, when a little service had been sufficient, but Mary is attentive to hear the word of God, which can never be heard sufficiently. Mary sit- teth to hear the word, Mait. v. as Christ used to sit, Luke iv. when he preached the word; to declare unto us, that the word is to be preached and heard with a quiet mind. In a still night every voice is heard, and when the body is quiet, the mind most commonly is quiet also. But Martha is troubled with other affairs, and therefore unfit to hear the word, as is the ground that is scorched with stones, and over- grown with weeds and thorns, which is indeed unfit to receive the seed, Matt. vi. or to yield any fruit to him that tilleth it. As often therefore as we come to hear the word of God, we must not come with dis- tracted minds, we must not trouble our- selves with the cares of this life, which, as our Saviour saith, are but thorns to choak
